Posted by Sean Brad on 05/18/06 09:52

Just came across this group and then this thread and thought I'd put my
two cents into it as well :)

I live in South Africa, Durban on the east coast. I've also lived in
Joburg and Cape Town, to balance it out, I've also lived in London and
Hamburg.

Joburg's central city is a place to pretty much stay out of.
Hijackings, senseless muggings etc are popular and central is not the
place to be especially with a new BMW.

I stayed in the northern suburbs called Sandton which are labeled as
the "elite suburbs". They do have some crime, hijackings every now and
then. The police are rather in effective. They slow and friendly
service is few and far between let alone brains.

Saying all that though, I did survive and I did drive a BMW that
hijackers want regularly on their shopping list. Ok... I was attempted
hijacked twice but I go away. Living in South Africa requires you to
take a certain level or care and safety when you are around. You also
don't leave your doors unlocked and usually have an armed security (the
norm) company on call.

The upside, the weather is great, Cape Town is amazing, it's like a
european city in Africa but also remember there are also criminal
elements about. Beaches are amazing in SA, currency is great if you
being paid in USD or GBP and houses are cheap. However, cars are nearly
the same price as your house, electronics is a rip-off market as they
charge 4x the price you can buy things for in London. Some nightlife is
good but lately it's needing a boost. Tourism is growing but a lot of
cover is done when big events happen.

The truth... I wouldn't say SA is the place to bring up
family/children. Since 1994 crime has climbed immensely and slowly but
surely some new factors come to light that make the future a little
more blurred. I must say living in SA does desensitize you from
violence. After getting back here from London where a murder would be
top news and front page, here you amazed if it gets in the paper. Most
crime is in the poorer areas but creeping into other areas or when
people aren't been "SA sensible" for the own security.
You shouldn't have to live like this here but it's Africa, look at the
rest of Africa and then SA, it's not that bad.

If you were single and a freelancer, by all means, wing it here and
work. The equipment in production in Joburg and Cape Town are among the
best in the world and talent is here when it's not moving to London, US
or Australia (most of the the time it does, I know, I did it for a
couple years). The currency here is good for international productions
and so are the surrounding services. Locations look amazing. Just be a
little more aware of security, where you go and when and you'll more
than likely be fine.

For a family though... if you really want to bring them, purchase into
a good golf estate. It'll be a few million rand ($300,000 and
up...sometime really up) and you'll get amazing security but personally
if it was my choice. I wouldn't bring my family up here if I had
another choice or residence. Come here for productions and holidays and
stay like a king and then live else where.

Then again, this is just my 2 cents...

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